Evaporation Suppression
Open reservoirs lose enormous quantities of water to the sun. Floating reflective covers block direct sunlight and cut evaporation dramatically — protecting freshwater supplies while cooling the surroundings.
Scientific detail
Evaporation suppression via reflective floating covers reduces the shortwave flux driving latent heat loss at the water surface, cutting evaporative losses on covered fractions and lowering downwind sensible heat flux. Documented reductions exceed 70–90 % on covered areas, with co-benefits for water security in arid regions.
Related terms
Reflective Reservoir Systems
Covering water reservoirs with reflective floating panels to cut evaporation and cool the surroundings.
Albedo
The fraction of sunlight a surface reflects — 0 is black, 1 is a perfect mirror.
Surface Energy Balance
The bookkeeping of energy flowing into and out of a surface at every moment.
Wetlands (Carbon Sink Function)
Wetland ecosystems that absorb and store carbon while regulating water cycles.